Symphony Takes A Stern Approach To Softball

March 15, 1986|By Peter Aronson, Staff Writer

WEST PALM BEACH — It was Canada`s version of America`s game.

The batter cursed the umpire, and the umpire didn`t care. A man hit a home run but was too tired to reach home plate. A bass trombonist drew the biggest applause. And the center of attention was a 65-year-old man with a pair of the best-known hands in the world.

``Good hit. Good hit. Two bases. Two bases. Run, run. Get in there.``

Sounds like an encouraging coach. Would you believe an encouraging violinist? Try Isaac Stern on for size.

``Anything with sports gets me out,`` exhorted the master musician.

Stern, inconspicuous in a large straw hat, was a spectator as the Montreal Symphony played the Montreal Expos` management in a softball game Friday at Municipal Stadium before an exhibition game between the Expos and the Atlanta Braves was rained out.

The symphony, with Stern as guest soloist, played two performances this week at the West Palm Beach Auditorium.

The game was a 4-4 tie, but no one seemed to care. The pride of Montreal was not on the line.

``I don`t understand the game. This game is not popular in Europe. I play soccer,`` exclaimed Charles Dutoit, the designated hitter and symphony conductor. Dutoit, 49, was born in Lausanne, Switzerland.

``I thought he was going to kick the ball when the pitch came,`` chided Boston-born Ellis Wean, 36, who plays tuba for the symphony.

The game was played on a side field because of the soggy conditions, but spirits were not dampened.

Bass player Michael Leiter was carried to the batter`s box against his will. Once there, however, he hit a shot. He rounded the bases, not bothering to touch second, and then fell flat on his face before reaching home plate. An attempt to move home plate to the fallen runner failed. He was tagged out. The crowd laughed.

``I missed it by 20 feet. I just got tired,`` he said.

Wean, who admitted to being a frustrated American jock, found it difficult to compare a concert to a ball game.

``You see, you can`t win a symphony concert,`` he said. But, he admitted, ``we`ve been trying to find a way to win a concert to give critics something to write about.``

Expos owner Charles Bronfman was heard cursing the umpire at a called strike. But umpire Bill Mulholland, chairman of the board of the Bank of Montreal, which is sponsoring the symphony`s 11-city tour of the United States, said there was no infraction.

``Oh, I didn`t hear any cursing. Only a little surprise now and then,`` he said.

Expos Manager Buck Rodgers played catcher, but one of his own players was not impressed.

``Buck who? Give me another hint. Second word is...?`` joked Wally Johnson, an outfielder fighting for a spot on the team.

Stern`s presence seemed to inspire not only the crowd and the media, which surrounded him with microphones and cameras, but also the players - particularly Bronfman.